Why is Canberra sport in a sea of uncertainty?

Will Canberra United survive beyond next season? When will the Canberra ice rink be built? What is the long-term future of the Brumbies? These are just the tip of the iceberg.

The ongoing, seemingly endless debate over the future of Canberra Stadium, to some degree, has effectively hidden a growing list of issues building up behind the scenes.

It would appear within the Canberra sports community that there are concerns about facilities, while others are worried about the future of teams in national leagues.

The cost of the new ice rink proposed for Greenway, to be known as the Canberra Arena, appears to be growing to such an extent that there are doubts as to whether it will ever happen.

The ACT Government has committed $16.2 million towards the proposed facility to be built in partnership with the private sector.

The cost, originally expected to be around $35 million, has increased, according to some reports, to more than $50 million.

When it was announced a couple of ACT elections ago, it was expected to be operational by now.

The longer it goes on, the more expensive it will be to build and the less likelihood that it will ever happen.

That leaves Phillip as the home of Canberra ice sports, an ageing facility in need of plenty of TLC and funding to maintain its current operations.

Of equal frustration has been the delay in getting the AIS Arena back into use for teams such as the UC Capitals.

Closed since 2020 for repairs, there are hopes it will be up and running later this year in time for the Capitals WNBL season.

Fingers are also crossed that AIS Arena will attract additional sports events, such as Super Netball.

While discussing facilities, the proposal to establish the Home of Football in Throsby appears to be dead and buried.

Capital Football withdrew its support, with the $4.5 million commitment proving to be a bridge too far for the cash-strapped organisation.

Instead, community football fields will be built on the Throsby site and the proposed A-League bid is looking to the AIS as its base.

We just need to get an A-League Men license in the first instance, although funding, or the lack of it, is proving a stumbling block.

Canberra United’s future in the A-League Women’s competition remains up in the air beyond this season, despite the ACT Government providing a one-off $200,000 cash injection to ensure the team stays afloat for the time being.

It would be a travesty if Canberra United folds, given the role the team plays in our community as a beacon for young female soccer players.

The Brumbies continue to give the impression that the franchise is hanging on by a thread as funding and sustainability in this market remain tight.

With the Rebels going, Rugby Australia can ill afford another team going under.

The Brumbies remain the most successful Australian Super Rugby team and, as such, should be assisted in every way by Rugby Australia to stay afloat.

At the same time as Canberra United and the Brumbies are on shaky ground, others are pursuing new national league sports teams for the city.

There continue to be rumours around a men’s and women’s Big Bash franchise, while the resurrection of a Canberra team in the NBL remains the subject of ongoing speculation.

Despite conjecture, both campaigns appear to be ‘parked’ for the time being.

The ACT Government has been targeted over the lack of planning when it comes to developing sports facilities to cater for a growing population, which is far outstripping facilities.

But the government can’t be blamed for the predicament faced by the Brumbies, Canberra United and the A-League bid.

This is very much an issue for the sports bodies themselves.

Having shed our reputation as a sports graveyard for national league teams following the demise of the Cannons, the Cosmos, the Bushrangers and the Comets, we can ill afford a reigniting of that mantle.